Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union and the City of Great Falls propose to consolidate several lots and vacated rights of way into three lots. The lots are located in the Sand Hills Park area just east of 23rd Street South and are proposed to be annexed. One lot is proposed for a retirement home; a second lot is proposed for 16 housing units by the Great Falls Housing Authority; and, the third lot would be park land.

On November 6, 2007, the Commission set public hearing for this evening. After conducting a joint public hearing, Mr. Rangel requested that the Commission adopt Resolution 9718, which would annex the unincorporated area in the amended plat, adopt Resolution 9719, which would vacate a segment of 16th Alley South, and to adopt Ordinance 2994, which would assign multi-family and parks and open space zoning to the parcels, and approve the Amended Plat, Findings of Fact and Annexation Agreement.

The City Planning Board/Zoning Commission unanimously recommends Commission approval.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. Steve Grooms, 137 Riverview Drive East, Dan Sullivan, 1601 39th Street South, and Mike Kingsley, 124 Highwood Drive, spoke in favor of Resolutions 9718 and 9719 and Ordinance 2994. No one spoke in opposition.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed and asked for the direction of the City Commission.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolutions 9718 and 9719 and approve the Amended Plat of Lot 2A, Block 1, Sand Hills Addition and Blocks 40 and 45, Replat of Lincoln Heights Addition and accompanying Findings of Fact and Annexation Agreement.

Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2994.

Motion carried 4-0.

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that Craig Barber is the owner of a building located at the corner of 9th Street and 2nd Avenue North. Alltel Communications is a company interested in placing a cell tower on the roof of the building. The property is zoned C-5 Central business periphery, which allows placement of cell towers upon processing and approval of a conditional use permit. The tower would rise about 10 feet above the roof line of the two story building.

On November 6, 2007, the Commission set public hearing for this evening. After conducting the public hearing, Mr. Rangel requested that the Commission adopt Resolution 9709, which would grant a conditional use permit for the cell tower and approve an agreement with specified terms and conditions for placement of the tower.

The City Zoning Commission unanimously recommends Commission approval.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. Craig Barber, 117 9th Street North, owner of the building, spoke in favor of Resolution 9709. No one spoke in opposition.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed and asked for the direction of the City Commission.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioners Hinz and Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9709, and approve the accompanying Agreement.

Motion carried 4-0.

Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini reported that this ordinance will allow the boundaries of an existing industrial tax increment district to be amended. The first property within that district was the malting facility. It was always intended for additional industrial development in that area. That industrial development requires some infrastructure improvements - water and sewer. A rail spur is currently owned by the malting company and there is a desire to turn that over to public hands to make it available to other industrial developers that are anticipated coming into the area. The tax increment district will set the base value on the taxes at whatever is currently there. As new development occurs the increase in taxes are collected and used to pay off the cost to make infrastructure improvements.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. Brett Doney, 3048 Delmar Drive, on behalf of the Great Falls Development Authority, spoke in favor of Ordinance 2996, and stated that a contract was signed today with an engineering firm to design the rail layout at the industrial park off of the rail spur. No one spoke in opposition.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed and asked for the direction of the City Commission.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2996.

Motion carried 4-0.

CDBG Administrator Chris Imhoff reported that the purpose of this Consolidated Plan community needs public hearing was to allow citizens, especially lower income citizens, an opportunity to advise the City Commission of the community's issues. The comments heard at this public hearing will be considered when allocating the 2008/2009 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Grant funds.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. Those addressing the City Commission were as follows:

Nancy O’Brien, 421 Deer Drive, Board Chair for the McLaughlin Research Institute. Ms. O’Brien stated that the Institute is about to make a $6 million dollar expansion of the building and staff. In addition to the dollars for construction which will benefit low and moderate income workers, it will also provide 18 new jobs. For the expansion funding, the Institute needs to raise $6 million dollars from a combination of public and private funds. She opined this is a good investment based on their past record. Since 1990, McLaughlin has brought in $52 million in federal and out of state funding. They also have a summer program for high school and college students and teachers to do hands-on basic research in the lab. Over 80% of the students that have come through that program have gone on to careers in research or medicine. By having three more scientists and three more labs, they will be able to expand that program. They have received employer of the year two times from Easter Seals.

Dan Sullivan, 1601 39th Street South, on behalf of the Great Falls Housing Authority, thanked the Commissioners for their past support with the HOME application. Affordable housing for members of the community on limited incomes is a major need, and continues to be a major need in this city. The HA maintains waiting lists that show the most pressing need for housing are one and two bedroom units. Often they are seniors, and sometimes with assisted care or a caregiver. He urged the continued support of the use of CDBG/HOME funds for affordable housing in Great Falls and to continue to have safe and sanitary housing for members of the community.

Allene Mares, 3117 Fern Drive, on behalf the Community Health Care Center, stated that the Center is a service of the City-County Health Department. It is governed by community members and users or patients of the Clinic. The Center provides dental and medical care to the lowest of the low income residents in Great Falls. Ms. Mares stated the Center is a very valuable part of the health care safety net in the community. The Center is funded by a federal grant, patient fees and local government support, both from the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. They serve over 5,000 patients a year and they had 15,000 medical and dental visits in 2006. On average they see 120-150 new patients every month. The need and demand for their services is acute. The Center is looking for funding to expand its services because the current capacity does not meet the demand for services. The overall cost of an expansion is about $1.6 million dollars which far exceeds what would be available through CDBG money. However, Ms. Mares stated it could be a starting point to get some community support to expand the Community Health Care Center

Brett Doney, 3048 Delmar Drive, on behalf of the Great Falls Development Authority, thanked the City for supporting their regional revolving loan funds. The amount of $68,000 in CDBG micro-loan funds was transferred from the City through Opportunity, Inc. to the Development Authority a year and a half ago so that they could meet their match with the Federal Economic Development Administration. Mr. Doney reported that they used the $68,000 for First League to allow Dimitri's Restaurant to open. As they repay that the money will be used elsewhere in the community. Mr. Doney stated that he is also on the National Development Council for the McLaughlin Research Institute. He stated that when he was in Maine he had the opportunity to work with the Jackson Lab that went from the same size that MRI is now and have grown to 1,340 employees. MRI is highly respected by them. MRI brings new money into the area and he supports their expansion.

Jerome Patton, 311 2nd Street North, Unit 1, stated that he was representing or speaking on behalf of what he heard at the Imagine Downtown meeting and the Comprehensive Housing meetings. He sits on the Imagine Downtown housing group, the Incentives Committee, and plans on attending the Downtown Task Force. Mr. Patton reported that he has seen a real interest in revitalizing downtown. People see that there is a benefit to bringing different types of housing downtown to spur economic development. He supports this program and asks that greater consideration be given to funding requests for projects that would assist in the downtown revitalization effort through slum and blight removal, low, moderate and high income housing in the downtown area and possibly mixed-use projects.

Audrey Finlayson, 3721 3rd Avenue South, stated that she works with Cascade County Aging Services. Senior citizens are important to the community. Ms. Finlayson stated that the block grant helps with Meals on Wheels. Without the assistance of the CDBG funds there would be a waiting list. They can serve about 250 people per day, and right now there are over 300 people. Ms. Finlayson stated there is a huge need in our community for these people, and urged the continued support of the elderly in the community.

There being no one further to address the Commission, Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed.

Community Development Director Mike Rattray reported that for many years the City of Great Falls has owned a half-lot located at the southeast corner of the intersection of 9th Street North and 10th Avenue North. Mr. Bartram contacted staff and asked that the City offer the lot for sale so that it can be consolidated with the adjoining properties to the east and allow for a future development site. The minimum bid price was established at $12,500. Public notice was advertised and a bid opening was conducted. Mr. Bartram submitted the only bid and met the minimum bid price at $12,510.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. No one spoke in favor of or opposition to the proposed sale.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed and asked for the direction of the City Commission.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission approve the sale of the West ½ of Lot 1, Block 76, Original Townsite to Mr. Robert Bartrum for $12,510 and authorize the City Manager and staff to execute the necessary documents.

Motion carried 4-0.

Interim Park and Recreation Director Marty Basta reported that the agenda item is to approve or deny the Animal Foundation of Great Falls’ request to use approximately two acres of undeveloped park land to construct a dog park. The Foundation has agreed to fund the development of the dog park, and the Park and Recreation Department has agreed to the continued maintenance of the two acres of park land. The Foundation has agreed to assist in maintenance items such as clean up of the park. The undeveloped park land is located adjacent to River’s Edge Trail between 6th and 9th Streets North. The Park and Recreation Board has approved the location for the dog park at the November 19, 2007 Board Meeting.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission approve the location for the Great Falls Dog Park on City-owned property adjacent to River Drive North between 6th and 9th Streets North.

Mayor Stebbins asked if there were any comments from the public. No one responded.

Motion carried 4-0.

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that a segment of Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad right of way located along 14th Street SW between Interstate Spur 315 and Park Garden Road has never been annexed into the City. This particular right of way is contiguous to the City limits. As such, State statute allows cities to annex land, if the land is adjacent, including any lands used for railroad purposes. This action will also address the Commission’s interest to annex unincorporated enclaves into the City.

The action requested this evening is to adopt Resolution 9714, Intent to Annex, which sets public hearing for January 8th of next year to consider annexation and to accept Ordinance 2995 on first reading and to set public hearing for January 8th to consider assignment of City zoning.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9714.

Mayor Stebbins inquired if there were any comments from the public. No one responded.

Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2995 on first reading and set public hearing for January 8, 2008.

Mayor Stebbins inquired if there were any comments from the public. No one responded.

Motion carried 4-0.

Fire Chief Randy McCamley reported that Ordinance 2993 would revise the current Special Business License for ambulance transport companies which is Title 5.3.7.720 and create Title 8.9 Emergency Medical Services. EMS consultants are recommending the changes to help improve the overall safety and stability of the 911 emergency care system. The new ordinance more clearly spells out how the City will mange and provide oversight of the EMS system within the City of Great Falls and its contracted fire districts. Throughout the development of this ordinance, the City has received considerable input from the local ambulance owner and his representatives. City staff and EMS consultants have endeavored to incorporate many of changes into the ordinance. Unfortunately, a few differences remain. Mr. McCamley requested the Commission accept Ordinance 2993 on first reading and set a public hearing and final reading on December 18, 2007.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz asked for clarification on the role of the oversight committee and the performance contract.

City Manager John Lawton explained that he met with representatives of Great Falls Emergency this afternoon and these issues were discussed. Mr. Lawton reported they have included almost all of the recommendations of the ambulance company. There are still a couple of outstanding issues that were further discussed this afternoon. One issue is the oversight committee versus an advisory committee. This has been set up like most of the other committees, as an advisory committee to the City Commission, to the Fire Chief, to the ambulance company and everyone involved in this system. Our committees don’t normally have independent decision making authority. The decisions come to the City Commission as recommendations. Mr. Lawton stated he explained to them that in the almost 18 years that he has been with the City, he has seen very few instances where the Commission doesn’t accept the recommendation of an advisory committee. Mr. Lawton stated that Great Falls Emergency’s concern is that they will have no place to go if they feel that they are being treated in a manner that doesn’t work for them by the oversight mechanism that is set up. They wanted to have an oversight committee with independent decision making authority rather than an advisory committee. Mr. Lawton stated that he agreed to go back and look at this in terms of an appeal process. If decisions are made by the administrator who Mr. Lawton appoints as the oversight individual for the EMS system, he committed to create an appeal process with a due process provision for decisions EMS has an objection to. Another issue is contract negotiations. This ordinance calls for the City to have a contract with the ambulance provider. In the ordinance it also allows for the possibility of bidding out those services to other ambulance providers. Mr. Lawton stated that he assured EMS today that the City intends to negotiate a contract with them. There are no plans to go out for bids. The consultant will help us draft a contract. Then both parties will negotiate the provisions. If either party is having a hard time coming to an agreement, then a mediator can be used. The protection for EMS is it doesn’t have to sign a contract. Mr. Lawton stated they also talked about the meeting schedule. EMS indicated it may have a problem with the holidays because the 18th is so close to the holidays. Mr. Lawton suggested that this matter be put on the schedule as proposed and if EMS has problems with the 18th, the public hearing could be held and then completed on January 8th. Mr. Lawton stated he believed the remaining issues were settled.

Commissioner Hinz asked what happens if an agreement can’t be reached, who would provide the ambulance service in the interim, or would the City allow EMS to provide the services without a signed contract.

Mr. Lawton answered there is a provision in the ordinance that allows for temporary emergency services. The City would not go without emergency services. Mr. Lawton stated his sense on it is EMS has a strong desire to negotiate a contract that everyone can live with.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2993 on first reading and set public hearing and final reading for December 18, 2007, keeping in mind what Mr. Lawton said that the meeting would be continued to January 8, 2008, if schedules didn’t allow.

Mayor Stebbins asked if there were any comments from the public.

Mary Jolley, 1910 2nd Avenue North, commented that the Commission should not set a public hearing in the immediate future. Ms. Jolley stated there is a lot of information to consider, there isn’t an agreement yet and, if the Commission voted no to setting a public hearing, it would give staff an incentive not to rush things.

Ron Gessaman, 1006 36th Avenue N.E., commented that he doesn’t understand why the public hearing has to be set on the 18th, and that two weeks is a short period of time.

Don Waylon, 1200 Burlington, Missoula, stated he is the manger of Missoula Emergency Services and a regional manager with Great Falls Emergency Services. Mr. Waylon stated he is connected with the EMS community, as well as across the state, and serves on the State EMS Task Force. Recently he was asked to talk at the Children and Family Health and Human Services Interim Legislative Committee that was doing a study on EMS in Montana. Mr. Waylon stated his main point is what does happen in Great Falls will impact the rest of the state. He thanked the Commissioners, the Mayor, John Lawton and the Fire Chief for listening to what they had to say.

Ellen Stinar, 514 9th Avenue South, Great Falls Emergency Services and Montana Community Ambulance Manager, thanked the Commissioners for taking the time to look at this issue on behalf of her employees and their families. Ms. Steiner stated EMS has some of the finest professionals who have chosen compassion and patient care over contracts, dollars and benefits. As well as being a partner in Great Falls emergency care, Ms. Steiner stated that they are also a company with employees and families that contribute to the community every day and that is something they look forward to continuing to do.

Dave Kuhn, Idaho Falls, co-owner of the ambulance service, thanked the Commissioners and stated he appreciates the steps taken and necessary to get to the ordinance they are getting closer to wrapping up. He thanked John Lawton for sitting down with him today. Mr. Kuhn stated in the past few weeks they have seen the spirit of cooperation and that is appreciated. He has staff and employees that enjoy being able to serve here. This ordinance can have a big impact on all of them. Mr. Kuhn believed the points John Lawton brought up they will be able to work together on and can resolve the issues.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, to amend the prior motion to postpone the public hearing until January 8, 2008.

Motion carried 3-1. (Commissioner Beecher dissenting.)

Mayor Stebbins stated the motion passes, and the public hearing will be set on January 8, 2008, to allow time go over the additional paperwork.

(City Clerk’s Comment:  While the Motion to Amend the Motion carried, there was not a vote on the Amended Motion.  Therefore, that Motion will come again before the Commission on December 18, 2007.)

John Lawton reported that at the last meeting Commissioner-Elect Mary Jolley asked a question about engineering services for a street lighting district and he didn’t believe she received a complete answer. Mr. Lawton explained that there were two engineering service amounts for that project. One amount for $3,600 was for contracted engineering services. The City engineer indicated that the City doesn’t have that kind of electrical engineering expertise on staff, so that is why the City hired a consulting engineer. The other item for $3,000 was for the City engineering department, to cover contract administration, a consultant liaison, coordination with fiscal services, bid openings, monitoring, supervision and so forth. Those two items were included as project costs and folded into the overall cost of that district. When that street lighting district is put into effect, the property owners pay for those street lights. The City borrows the money from the State Board of Investments Intercap Program and follows state law. The $3,000 is a revenue to the engineering fund. Mr. Lawton advised that this update is also available in a written report as well.

Mayor Stebbins stated that, since the selection process for the City Manager has become a month or two behind, she thought the Commission should consider asking Mr. Lawton if he will stay on to ensure a smooth transition. Commissioner Beecher agreed and stated it makes sense for the transition to a new manager. Commissioners Hinz and Jovick-Kuntz also agreed. Mr. Lawton stated he would be willing to do that for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition.

Mayor Stebbins further commented that she had a note from Arlene Reichert who couldn’t make it to the meeting tonight, but wanted to express the gratitude from Preservation Cascade to the City Commission for enabling them to light the 10th Street Bridge through the CTEP grant.

Mayor Stebbins opened the meeting to Petitions and Communications.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher that the regular meeting of December 4, 2007, be adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Motion carried 4-0.